Prep Baseball Report

MI: Underclassmen Blakely, Hartwig, and Mann Look for Breakout Seasons





By Brent Alwine

PBR Michigan Scouting Director

Drew Blakely #2 Class of 2016, C/RHP, Gull Lake HS

One of the more impressive members of the early 2016 class, Drew Blakely of Gull Lake HS will have lots of coaches and schools making the trip to Richland, MI. I had a chance to talk with Drew recently about his college recruitment thus far and he said he is strictly focused on baseball and will take offers as both a catcher and a pitcher.

With a big frame and a projectable body at either position, Drew has received heavy interest and even had scholarship offers before he even obtained his driver’s license. Drew has received high interest from South Alabama, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and University of Michigan. But has also had interest from Louisville, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Duke.

Nick played in the Midwest Futures Game this past season as the youngest player from the state of Michigan, and has also committed to play in the games next year as well. Drew said that was an amazing opportunity to play against some top talent as well as getting him in contact with some of those schools listed above. Drew also had a chance to work with Rick Sellers, Atlanta Braves Midwest Scouting Supervisor,  this winter to help improve his game.

Drew is also a great student, with a 4.15 GPA and is looking to go into Physical Therapy.

Grant Hartwig #9 Class of 2016, RHP, Detroit Catholic Central HS

One of the top pitchers in the 2016 class, Grant Hartwig has a bright career ahead of him either on the mound or in the medical field. Grant is looking at possibly a pre-med major and becoming a doctor, following in the footsteps of his mother. His mother and father received undergrad degrees from Michigan State, and his mother attended medical school at MSU. Grant has received interest from both Michigan State and University of Michigan for baseball.

A three-sport athlete in basketball and football, Grant is more focused on playing baseball and pitching at the next level.

In the summer Grant plays for the Great Lake Cardinals and for head coach Dan Hejka.

Steve Mann, Class of 2017, OF, Detroit Country Day HS

One of the top players in an already early 2017 class, Steve Mann is already looking like another bright star. Already making a name for himself as a football star at Detroit Country Day, this spring he will be noticed on the baseball field for his high-end athletic ability.

Coming from an athletic family, his sister, Brittany Mann is a thrower for the University of Oregon and his brother played football at Eastern Michigan University.

Steve is already very early into the recruiting process but has received interest from University of Michigan, North Carolina, and Winthrop. For Steve, distance will not be an issue in his recruitment and will look at schools from all over for his collegiate career. Obviously a lot can happen between now and his graduating ceremony in 2017, but Steve Mann looks like he can be one of the best players in the state at that time.